Omosako Tosai

[dick benbow]

In the way of food for thought, Breeders are always trying new bloodlines and genetics. each parent coupling can produce results independant of other pairings of which articles were based. the last coupla years Omosako while heralded as the best shiro breeder for medium sized koi, has been challenged to continually work to increase the size of his shiro utsuri's.

here's something to consider, look back at koi #2, see the two tone black in the one pec that is showing, while the initial sense is the pec is totally black, it would appear this not to be the case. I believe this koi has the potential to surprise folks. With the pair I breed, which has produced many winners in smaller local shows and regional ones, the faces look like #2 and by the end of the second year, they are startling white.

On good bloodline koi from acknowledged breeders, I look more for body confirmation at this stage and let the pattern develop as it will.....

[erwinsan]

Quote: Originally Posted by koiczar JNorth In the article Erwin mentions above Omosako talks about the Taiwanese who buy his tosai nearly completely white and wait for the sumi to develop - an interesting contrast to these three

Mike~

actually I was referring to the shiro on the cover and it's developement cataloged on page 16 of issue 3

[l113892]

I have concerns about the sumi in the pecs on all the fish. I heard one comment that all Omosako shiro go darker with age. Well, I find that hard to believe but I'll get to test it soon as I have a Omosako shiro on the way.

[MikeM]

MikeP and Dick have made interesting points. Based on limited personal experience and a lot of reading/photo examination, I would not worry over tosai Shiro Utsuri having solid black pectorals. It recedes. I believe the thing to be concerned about is whether good motoguro will form, or whether it will be uneven or whether the pectorals will become striped. On some Shiros striped pectorals can be attractive IMO, but generally this is viewed as a negative and in most Shiros it is not attractive. Of these tosai, #1 is the only one I'd wonder about stripes remaining when the Sumi recedes. This is not a common trait among Omosako Shiros from what I've read, so I'd not let that deter me in acquiring the little fellow, but I might choose another if all else was equal.

We often read about Sumi rising and expanding, which it does. But it also recedes. It is not uncommon for Shiros to be solid black, only to become grayish by 4 months and solid white with yellow heads at 10 months. Sumi does strange things.

The reason I like #2 is its body and bone structure. I do not see anything negative in the Sumi. I believe we are seeing the baby sumi dissipating in the upper skin layers and the mature sumi forming. It is in transition. The very best Shiros can be ugly pond mutts in their youth. Look at the tosai and nisai auctioned off on the most popular koi auction sites ...these are the lower-end Shiros the breeder realizes will not improve. They are the best they will ever be. Look at photos of breeders' greenhouse ponds of the ones being kept for a third season in the mud...many are not very impressive!...then take a second look at the body structure...very impressive.

In the Japanese mags, I've read many a high-end hobbyist comment that you cannot know what you are getting in a Shiro until they are 3 years old. You can only have an educated prediction. Like Showa, they change.

[mulberryjen]

Shiro #2 resembles my Omosako shiro as a tosai, affectionately but accurately known as "L'il Ugly Shiro." When he was about 6" long, his sumi was very black for a few weeks, but then took on the look yours has now as he began to grow. Pattern has remained the same but quality of sumi changes rapidly.

He also had rather dark, striped pectoral fins early on, which have now developed into very pleasing, symmmetrical motoguro. Actually all of his fins are well marked.......though lord knows the rest of him looks questionable at best. I still hold out hope he will whiten / darken up and come out strong in another year or two. We shall see.

Have fun watching these guys develop!

[MikeM]

MJ: How old is yours now?

[mulberryjen]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeM MJ: How old is yours now?

he is a nisai. Currently inside in QT tank with chagoi that was injured back in January. Will go shoot a pic for the thread for comparison sake.

[mulberryjen]

Ok, a little blurry, but you get the gist of what he looks like. Also - anyone know what the deal is with his tail? It looks as if the area of the fin along the top ray is filled with air like a tiny balloon........?? it has looked this way for several months. It is from an injury of some sort? It is something I could / should do something with?

[aquitori]

I looked at all the shiros. I like the middle shiro, they say Omosako Shiro has 2 phases of development. To me the middle Shiro has enough interest in pattern to come down a bit as it matures and come back strong. I focused on pattern because I feel all the Shiros are at the same level in Conformation and Skin quality. I have never kept Omosako Shiros, but I do have a Marusho Shiro. The skin quality is night and day. Marusho Shiro have a silk white while the Omosako has a toilet bowl white....I like Omosako Shiros they are the best in the world, but I do believe Marusho Shiros have the best white.

But, JNorth I would go with the middle....to me it has the brightest future...that is my dream koi in the batch.

Tony

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by mulberryjen Ok, a little blurry, but you get the gist of what he looks like. Also - anyone know what the deal is with his tail? It looks as if the area of the fin along the top ray is filled with air like a tiny balloon........?? it has looked this way for several months. It is from an injury of some sort? It is something I could / should do something with?

Pretty interesting Shiro development. The Sumi shows shallow, which means it is probably in it's 2nd phase of development...Nisai now and showing very heavy, I like it!! Keep raising it...

Tony